Sliding reusable connector

Abstract

A sliding reusable connector for attaching gear to a base unit of the present invention preferably includes a main body and a slide. The main body has a main body track portion at a first main body end and a main body locking portion at a second main body end. The slide has a slide locking structure at one end and longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between the first slide end and the second slide end. The slide track structure is slidably interconnected with the main body track portion. The slide locking structure is repeatedly lockable and unlockable with the main body locking portion. In one preferred embodiment the connector has at least one secondary connection means defined in the main body.

1. A sliding reusable connector for attaching gear to a base unit, said connector comprising:
 (a) a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end; 
 (b) a main body track portion associated with said first main body end; 
 (c) a main body locking portion associated with said second main body end; 
 (d) a slide having a first slide end and a second slide end; 
 (e) longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end; 
 (f) slide locking structure associated with said second slide end; 
 (g) said slide track structure slidably interconnected with said main body track portion; 
 (h) said slide locking structure repeatedly lockable and unlockable with said main body locking portion; 
 (i) said connector having an open position in which said second slide end is relatively near said first main body end, an insertion opening defined between said main body locking portion and both said second slide end and said first main body end; and 
 (j) said main body having a longitudinal main body length and said insertion opening having a longitudinal insertion opening length, said longitudinal insertion opening length being more than 60% of said main body length. 
 
   
   
     2. The connector of  claim 1 , said main body further defining at least one secondary connection means. 
   
   
     3. The connector of  claim 2 , wherein each said at least one secondary connection means is an aperture defined in said main body. 
   
   
     4. The connector of  claim 1  having an open position in which said second slide end is relatively near said first main body end and a closed position in which said first slide end is relatively near said first main body end and said second slide end is relatively near said second main body end, said slide track structure sliding within said main body track portion between said open position and said closed position. 
   
   
     5. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion opening is suitable for allowing a gear attachment mechanism of said gear to be positioned within and removed from said connector without significant manipulation. 
   
   
     6. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion opening is suitable for allowing a base unit attachment mechanism of said base unit to be positioned within and removed from said connector without significant manipulation. 
   
   
     7. A sliding reusable connector for attaching gear to a base unit, said connector comprising:
 (a) a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end; 
 (b) a main body track portion associated with said first main body end; 
 (c) a main body locking portion associated with said second main body end; 
 (d) a slide having a first slide end and a second slide end; 
 (e) longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end; 
 (f) slide locking structure associated with said second slide end; 
 (g) said slide track structure slidably interconnected with said main body track portion; and 
 (h) said slide locking structure repeatedly lockable and unlockable with said main body locking portion; 
 (i) wherein said longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end is at least one groove. 
 
   
   
     8. The connector of  claim 7 , said main body further defining at least one secondary connection means. 
   
   
     9. The connector of  claim 8 , wherein each said at least one secondary connection means is an aperture defined in said main body. 
   
   
     10. The connector of  claim 7  having an open position in which said second slide end is relatively near said first main body end and a closed position in which said first slide end is relatively near said first main body end and said second slide end is relatively near said second main body end, said slide track structure sliding within said main body track portion between said open position and said closed position. 
   
   
     11. The connector of  claim 7  having an open position in which said second slide end is relatively near said first main body end, an insertion opening defined between said main body locking portion and both said second slide end and said first main body end. 
   
   
     12. The connector of  claim 11 , said main body having a longitudinal main body length and said insertion opening having a longitudinal insertion opening length, said longitudinal insertion opening length being more than 60% of said main body length. 
   
   
     13. The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said insertion opening is suitable for allowing a gear attachment mechanism of said gear to be positioned within and removed from said connector without significant manipulation. 
   
   
     14. The connector of  claim 11 , wherein said insertion opening is suitable for allowing a base unit attachment mechanism of said base unit to be positioned within and removed from said connector without significant manipulation. 
   
   
     15. The connector of  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end is at least one rib. 
   
   
     16. A sliding reusable connector for attaching gear to a base unit, said connector comprising:
 (a) a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end; 
 (b) a main body track portion associated with said first main body end; 
 (c) a main body securing portion associated with said second main body end; 
 (d) a slide having a first slide end and a second slide end; 
 (e) longitudinal slide track structure extending at least partially between said first slide end and said second slide end; 
 (f) slide securing structure associated with said second slide end; 
 (g) said slide track structure slidably interconnected with said main body track portion; 
 (h) said slide locking structure repeatedly securable and unsecureable with said main body securing portion; 
 (i) said connector having an open position in which said second slide end is relatively near said first main body end, an insertion opening defined between said main body locking portion and both said second slide end and said first main body end; and 
 (j) said main body having a longitudinal main body length and said insertion opening having a longitudinal insertion opening length, said longitudinal insertion opening length being more than 60% of said main body length. 
 
   
   
     17. The connector of  claim 16 , said main body further defining at least one secondary connection means. 
   
   
     18. The connector of  claim 16 , wherein said insertion opening is suitable for allowing a base unit attachment mechanism of said base unit to be positioned within and removed from said connector without significant manipulation. 
   
   
     19. The connector of  claim 16  wherein said longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end is at least one groove. 
   
   
     20. The connector of  claim 16  wherein said longitudinal slide track structure extending substantially between said first slide end and said second slide end is at least one rib.